Slice of Life Post for March 20, 2025 (3:08-3:39) by Barb Edler

Generally, at 3:00 p.m., I am trying to relax. It’s the time of day before fixing supper, etc. and when I try to slip behind my bedroom door to take control of my “own” viewing time. I love to watch romantic comedies, the new Matlock, and recently I stumbled across Younger on Netflix, which is a hoot!

This afternoon I’m watching basketball. Yes, March Madness is here, and I will be watching some games. I never enjoyed watching basketball until one winter when my life was in the darkest pit. We had a den with two couches, and I started to watch basketball with my husband. Suddenly, I was hooked. I rarely miss an Iowa game. If I have to miss a game, I am not happy.

I no longer plan vacations during March. I learned my lesson when we went to visit our granddaughters and sons a few years ago in Colorado, and the Iowa women were playing in the Big 10 tournament. Our granddaughter was also playing in a basketball tournament. Her 6th grade talents were challenging to watch, plus my husband became incredibly anxious about missing the Iowa game. I believe Caitlin Clark was a sophomore at the time, and she has always been a joy to watch. I understand there are a lot of haters out there, but we are 100 percent through and through Caitlin Clark fans. Hey, she’s someone we can cheer for, and she is from Iowa. Iowa does not have an NFL or NBA team, etc. We have the Field of Dreams, but there’s not a lot to get behind when your state refuses to have their educational voucher system audited. Hmmmm…sketchy….very sketchy!

Anyway, I will share one of my favorite poems that focuses on my love of the Iowa Women’s basketball team. They play at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday if you care to watch them, too. I know I will be totally investing, rooting them on and hoping for a victory.

Buzzer Beater

I like the women’s team best,
how they can drop a three so easily
pivot, shift; then swish 
like driving the Needle Highway
sipping fine wine in Italy
it's a wonder to behold
admiring their energy, the beautiful way 
they fly across the floor,
acting like they’re driving for the basket
but then it’s a pass, Monica dunks, crowd goes wild
soaring back, Gabby’s hands, quick like a snake bite
steals the ball, her gorgeous eyes glitter
She’s the pretty one
but at the end of the game
when everything looks like it's gone astray
'cuz they’re behind; we fear the worse
then watch amazed Kate’s hard pass to Caitlin
who’s effortlessly escaped her opponent
heaves a three before the buzzer rings—
chaos erupts…..oh heck, yes, another
victory!